Read and Post your questions for the doc:
Chronic Ear Infections
Question:
I have a friend who was wondering what your thoughts were about preventing chronic ear infections in her 4 year old daughter.
Answer:
I often find that it is related to a food sensitivity or reaction. It is important to identify any foods that could be causing this. This can be done through an elimination/challenge diet – where many of the potential reactive foods are removed from the diet for 2 weeks and then slowly reintroduced to see what reactions may occur, or through a simple blood test that we offer.
Another important aspect to support is their digestive system (a.k.a. the gut) - this is where most of the immune system is located. I would guess that this child has been on multiple rounds of antibiotics and has not sufficiently replenished their levels of good bacteria in their digestive tract. This can leave them more susceptible to future ear infections. As well as lead to new food sensitivities, this can cause more ear infections.
Probiotics, which are good beneficial bacteria for our intestines, play an important role in our immune system as well as helping to prevent food sensitivities. In addition to good quality, high potency probiotics like the HMF brand that we recommend, I would also suggest omega-3 essential fatty acids such as a fish oil supplement, good brands are Nordic Naturals or Carlson’s, Vitamin D (actually not a vitamin, but a very important hormone that is essential for proper immune function), and Juice Plus+, whole food nutrition from vine-ripened fruits and vegetables. These supplements along with taking a close look at the child’s diet are a good place to start to help prevent ear infections.
Most doctors will treat ear infections with anti-biotics and sometimes steroids if necessary. These treatments may be helpful to resolve the acute presentation of the ear infection, but unfortunately they do nothing to improve the health of the child or to prevent another ear infection.
I typically treat kids like this with homeopathy, which involves an in-depth intake to understand their specific symptoms to identify the indicated remedy. The goal of homeopathy is to correct the underlying susceptibility so that she no longer develops ear infections and her overall health is improved. Homeopathy treats the whole person and as a result all aspects of their health would be improved.
If your friend would like to know more - they can call our office and schedule a complimentary health consultation. 704-708-4404
My best,
Dr. Michael Smith
Naturopathic Physician
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Alternative Medicine: Homeopathy and Children
Feel free to post questions For Dr. Smith to answer in relation to this topic!!
Does your child have allergies, eczema, ear aches, digestive issues, or problems with attention, sleep or eating? Homeopathy can be a safe and effective treatment for these conditions.
Homeopathy is ideal for children as it is a gentle yet highly effective system of medicine. The mildly sweet pills, powders or liquids are easy to dispense and are more palatable than many conventional medicines. The highly diluted natural substances that form homeopathic remedies mean that they are safe to use in the very young. More than that, homeopathy can raise the immunity of your children to help deal with illness throughout their childhood.
Take John, a 10 year old boy, who has been dealing with seasonal allergies that would often develop into a violent cough and eventually pneumonia. He also had stomach cramps that were unexplained by his pediatrician and nightly leg pains which prevented restful sleep. Dawn, his mother, brought John in for homeopathy with Dr. Michael Smith, a Naturopathic Physician in Matthews, NC, after the drugs he had been prescribed only made his symptoms worse. Shortly after being prescribed a homeopathic remedy, John’s symptoms began to improve.
What is homeopathic medicine? It is a holistic system of medicine which recognizes that mental and emotional symptoms coexist with physical symptoms. It can effectively alleviate childhood anxieties, fears, tantrums, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder without side effects. Additionally, it can help children become less susceptible to colds and flu.
How does it work? Homeopathy turns on the "self heal" switch. Chinese medicine calls it the "chi." Naturopathic medicine calls it the "vis." Homeopathy calls it the "vital force." They all describe the energy inhabiting the human body that when stimulated moves the human system toward greater health.
Homeopathic medicines are individually selected based on the unique symptoms and presentation of the child. They are derived from plants, animals and minerals and are understood in the following way: A medicine that can cause symptoms in a healthy child can eliminate similar symptoms in a sick child.
Homeopathy addresses a body's inherited weakness. For example, the triad of allergies, asthma and eczema runs in families. Strengthening children's body constitution means they will be less likely to express these familial diseases later in life. Homeopathy works fast with children because they are usually full of vitality. Acute conditions such as ear infections, tonsillitis and flu, can be resolved rapidly using the right remedies, often avoiding the need for prescription drugs.
Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing, suitable for everyone, young and old. Homeopathy focuses on you as an individual, concentrating on treating your specific physical and emotional symptoms, to give long lasting benefits.
• Homeopathic treatment works with your body's own healing powers to bring health and well being.
• Patients are treated as individuals, not as a collection of disease labels.
• Homeopathy treats all your symptoms - mental, emotional and physical.
• Homeopathic remedies are gentle, subtle and powerful.
How long has Homeopathy been used? Homeopathy has been used for over two hundred years and has an honorable tradition dating back to ancient Greece. It was Samuel Hahnemann, a brilliant doctor working in 1796 who developed the scientific and philosophical foundations of this gentler way of healing. These scientific principles form the basis of successful homeopathic practice today.
What happens when you see a homeopath? Your homeopath understands that establishing good health involves treating both mind and body, so time is taken to listen to your emotional and physical symptoms. To stimulate your body's own healing process, a remedy closest to your individual symptom picture is prescribed. Healing begins from within your body, strengthening your health and immune system, without any danger of damaging side effects.
Dawn, John’s mother, is now happy to report that “John's health has continued to steadily improve during the approximately 9 months we have been seeing Dr. Smith.”
Dr. Michael Smith is a Naturopathic Physician who specializes in classical homeopathy and clinical nutrition. Dr. Smith is an expert in homeopathy, using it to treat most chronic and acute conditions. "Homeopathy works at a much deeper level to stimulate the body's innate ability to heal. Homeopathy is by far one of the most effective and safest forms of medicine."
To schedule a complimentary consultation please call: (704) 708-4404 or visit: www.CarolinasNaturalHealth.com
Does your child have allergies, eczema, ear aches, digestive issues, or problems with attention, sleep or eating? Homeopathy can be a safe and effective treatment for these conditions.
Homeopathy is ideal for children as it is a gentle yet highly effective system of medicine. The mildly sweet pills, powders or liquids are easy to dispense and are more palatable than many conventional medicines. The highly diluted natural substances that form homeopathic remedies mean that they are safe to use in the very young. More than that, homeopathy can raise the immunity of your children to help deal with illness throughout their childhood.
Take John, a 10 year old boy, who has been dealing with seasonal allergies that would often develop into a violent cough and eventually pneumonia. He also had stomach cramps that were unexplained by his pediatrician and nightly leg pains which prevented restful sleep. Dawn, his mother, brought John in for homeopathy with Dr. Michael Smith, a Naturopathic Physician in Matthews, NC, after the drugs he had been prescribed only made his symptoms worse. Shortly after being prescribed a homeopathic remedy, John’s symptoms began to improve.
What is homeopathic medicine? It is a holistic system of medicine which recognizes that mental and emotional symptoms coexist with physical symptoms. It can effectively alleviate childhood anxieties, fears, tantrums, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder without side effects. Additionally, it can help children become less susceptible to colds and flu.
How does it work? Homeopathy turns on the "self heal" switch. Chinese medicine calls it the "chi." Naturopathic medicine calls it the "vis." Homeopathy calls it the "vital force." They all describe the energy inhabiting the human body that when stimulated moves the human system toward greater health.
Homeopathic medicines are individually selected based on the unique symptoms and presentation of the child. They are derived from plants, animals and minerals and are understood in the following way: A medicine that can cause symptoms in a healthy child can eliminate similar symptoms in a sick child.
Homeopathy addresses a body's inherited weakness. For example, the triad of allergies, asthma and eczema runs in families. Strengthening children's body constitution means they will be less likely to express these familial diseases later in life. Homeopathy works fast with children because they are usually full of vitality. Acute conditions such as ear infections, tonsillitis and flu, can be resolved rapidly using the right remedies, often avoiding the need for prescription drugs.
Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing, suitable for everyone, young and old. Homeopathy focuses on you as an individual, concentrating on treating your specific physical and emotional symptoms, to give long lasting benefits.
• Homeopathic treatment works with your body's own healing powers to bring health and well being.
• Patients are treated as individuals, not as a collection of disease labels.
• Homeopathy treats all your symptoms - mental, emotional and physical.
• Homeopathic remedies are gentle, subtle and powerful.
How long has Homeopathy been used? Homeopathy has been used for over two hundred years and has an honorable tradition dating back to ancient Greece. It was Samuel Hahnemann, a brilliant doctor working in 1796 who developed the scientific and philosophical foundations of this gentler way of healing. These scientific principles form the basis of successful homeopathic practice today.
What happens when you see a homeopath? Your homeopath understands that establishing good health involves treating both mind and body, so time is taken to listen to your emotional and physical symptoms. To stimulate your body's own healing process, a remedy closest to your individual symptom picture is prescribed. Healing begins from within your body, strengthening your health and immune system, without any danger of damaging side effects.
Dawn, John’s mother, is now happy to report that “John's health has continued to steadily improve during the approximately 9 months we have been seeing Dr. Smith.”
Dr. Michael Smith is a Naturopathic Physician who specializes in classical homeopathy and clinical nutrition. Dr. Smith is an expert in homeopathy, using it to treat most chronic and acute conditions. "Homeopathy works at a much deeper level to stimulate the body's innate ability to heal. Homeopathy is by far one of the most effective and safest forms of medicine."
To schedule a complimentary consultation please call: (704) 708-4404 or visit: www.CarolinasNaturalHealth.com
Monday, December 28, 2009
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